Underline test items or take notes. Remember that we are going over test items as we work through the text. As I mention these things and their location, underline them or write them down so you’ll know exactly what to study for the exam.
Read about the work and learn the gist of it before reading the work. Go to a database such as Gale Literature Resource Center and read an overview or explication (a line by line explanation of the work). This will help you to understand the work when you read it. Try doing this with each work. It takes a little extra time but it makes quizzes and exams very easy. See below for information on accessing the Cisco Library Databases.
Read an overview or summary on the internet. Look for reliable websites such as those ending in .edu or .org. For example, I used Google to search for a summary on “Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” Just enter the title in quotation marks , the plus symbol, and the word overview or summary in your search box:
Most are fairly accurate. I’ll give you a thorough overview of the work in class, but this will give you all the info you need to read and enjoy it.
Accessing the Databases You can access the databases from Cisco Library by clicking on your Blackboard page and choosing the Cisco College Libraries link on the right side of your screen. If you are off campus, it might ask you for a login and password. Here’s that info: Login: RCC5113 Password: TX76437 (the zip code for Cisco Texas) Note: These are case sensitive
In the List of Databases, you can choose a general database like JSTOR or choose one that focuses on literature. To find the Gale database and the EBSCO database, click on Library of Texas Database and choose either one from the list.
For example, to find an overview of Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”:
Go to your Blackboard page and Click on Cisco College Libraries.
From the database list on the left, choose Library of Texas.
Click on Gale Literature Resource Center (It’s under Books and Literature).
Type “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” (with quotation marks) in the search box and hit Search.
When the search results appear, click the tab that reads “Topic and Work Overviews.” The top one is “Overview: Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” Click to read the overview.
- Read an overview or summary on the internet. Look for reliable websites such as those ending in .edu or .org. For example, I used Google to search for a summary on “Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” Just enter the title in quotation marks , the plus symbol, and the word overview or summary in your search box:
Example: “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” + overviewThere are several overviews such as this one by Michael Cummings:
http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Guides3/Rime.html
You will find many summaries such as this one at StudyGuide.org:
http://www.studyguide.org/rime_of_the_ancient_mariner.htm
Most are fairly accurate. I’ll give you a thorough overview of the work in class, but this will give you all the info you need to read and enjoy it.
Accessing the Databases
You can access the databases from Cisco Library by clicking on your Blackboard page and choosing the Cisco College Libraries link on the right side of your screen. If you are off campus, it might ask you for a login and password. Here’s that info:
Login: RCC5113
Password: TX76437 (the zip code for Cisco Texas)
Note: These are case sensitive
In the List of Databases, you can choose a general database like JSTOR or choose one that focuses on literature. To find the Gale database and the EBSCO database, click on Library of Texas Database and choose either one from the list.
For example, to find an overview of Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”:
Here’s a look at the results page: